habit

white flowers near end of stems

leaflets in clusters

white to pinkish flowers

close up of flowers

Scientific Name

Asparagus aethiopicus

Synonyms

Protasparagus aethiopicus, Asparagus densiflorus

Common Names

fern asparagus, sprengeri fern, asparagus fern

Origin

South Africa

Family

Asparagaceae

Top

Distinguishing Characteristics

This is a spiny shrub with sprawling to pendent stems with fibrous and tuberous roots.

Leaves are bright green, fern-like, with almost needle-like leaflets of up to eight in a cluster.

Flowers are white to pinkish and small.

Fruit is a bright, round, shiny, red berry. Each fruit contains 1 to a few seeds.

To remove this plant cut out the root at the base of the stems. Roots should be bagged as they will continue to grow even if hung off the ground.

Sources & References

"Weeds - an illustrated botanical guide to weeds of Australia" by B. A. Auld and R. W. Medd

"Plantnet FloraOnline"  (2005) http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/

 

Prepared by IEWF, June 2007